Avida: Evolution Experiments with Self-Replicating Computer Programs -- Framsticks: A Platform for Modeling, Simulating, and Evolving 3D Creatures -- Nerve Garden: Germinating Biological Metaphors in Net-based Virtual Worlds -- GenePool: Exploring the Interaction Between Natural Selection and Sexual Selection -- Sodarace: Adventures in Artificial Life -- Escaping the Accidents of History: An Overview of Artificial Life Modeling with Repast -- EINSTein: A Multiagent-based Model of Combat -- StarLogo: A Programmable Complex Systems Modeling Environment for Students and Teachers -- On the Evolution of Sonic Ecosystems -- Exploring Cellular Automata with MCell -- Discrete Dynamics Lab: Tools for Investigating Cellular Automata and Discrete Dynamical Networks -- Simulated Breeding — A Framework of Breeding Artifacts on the Computer -- Enriching Aesthetics with Artificial Life.

Artificial Life Models in Software presents software tools, environments and realities dealing with creation, imitation and analysis of artefactual, virtual and living forms, written by those who personally design and produce software, hardware and art installations in artificial life, simulated complex systems and virtual worlds. This timely volume offers a nearly exhaustive overview and original analysis of major non-profit artificial life software packages. The carefully selected topics include: · simulation of real and imaginary life forms and their evolution · self-organization · emergent behaviours · swarm intelligence · evolutionary robotics · agent-based simulations · adaptive, complex and biologically inspired ecosystems · creative computer art There has long been a need within the academic and research community for an informal introduction and guidance to modern software tools for modelling and simulation of life-like phenomena – Artificial Life Models in Software fills this gap and provides invaluable information to both professional and amateur readers, offering detailed reviews of contemporary software for artificial life.